FloTHERM is powerful 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software that predicts airflow and heat transfer in and around electronic equipment, from components and boards up to complete systems. Learn More →

WILSONVILLE, Ore., February 21, 2006 - Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) today announced that Tensilica has named the Seamless{reg} product as the premier co-verification tool for the new Diamond Standard series of processor cores. The Seamless product provides designers with a virtual platform to debug hardware/software integration issues while increasing simulation throughput, thereby allowing designers to quickly validate that the system hardware and software are functionally correct before prototypes are manufactured.

"We gave Seamless premier tool status because it provides our customers with the most effective methodology for debugging hardware/software interactions in our new Diamond series of processor cores," said Steve Roddy, Tensilica's vice president of marketing. "By offering Seamless processor support packages upon introduction of the Diamond family, Mentor Graphics is enabling first-pass success for designers who choose to implement these advanced, cost-effective processor cores."

The Seamless product is the first co-verification tool that supports Tensilica's Diamond series, providing designers with unparalleled ability to debug hardware/software interactions while exercising production-level software on Seamless models of the Diamond series processor cores. The Seamless hardware/software integration environment uses a virtual prototype to give designers visibility into system operations, and provides full control over test execution. This enables designers to identify and fix hardware/software interface errors early in the development schedule, reducing the risk of failure during system bring-up and subsequent hardware re-spins. In addition, the same embedded code can be run in Seamless and on the hardware prototype creating an environment where issues encountered with the hardware prototype can be reproduced and debugged in the Seamless virtual prototype.

To validate that system performance targets are met, the Seamless product's performance profiling capabilities provide accurate measurement of key design parameters, such as bus bandwidth utilization, memory loading, and software profiling, enabling users to gauge system performance before committing to hardware. The Seamless product is part of Mentor's Scalable Verification™ platform, a full suite of products that comprise a complete path from HDL simulation to emulation.

"The ever-increasing complexity of hardware and system software places tremendous pressure on the engineers charged with integrating these two components in a functional system. Cooperation between IP and EDA vendors is essential to help our mutual customers perform this task within an acceptable timeframe," said Serge Leef, general manager of the System-Level Engineering Division at Mentor Graphics. "This Mentor/Tensilica combination enables greater verification efficiency for engineers who are trying to balance processor price and performance in order to deliver high-quality, low cost electronics to market on time."

Pricing and Availability

Mentor Graphics offers Seamless processor support packages for all six of the Diamond Series processor cores (Diamond 108Mini; Diamond 212GP; Diamond 232L; Diamond 570T; Diamond 330HiFi; Diamond 545CK). The Seamless product is priced starting at $40,000, and the list price for each processor support package is $20,000. For technical information, please e-mail: seamless_info@mentor.com. To find additional product information and white papers, or to register for free Seamless workshops and functional verification seminars, please visit www.mentor.com/products/fv/hwsw_coverification/.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $700 million and employs approximately 4,000 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

Mentor Graphics and Seamless are registered trademarks, and Scalable Verification is a trademark, of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Careers

We challenge our employees to set goals, accept responsibility and solve problems. And we reward people for taking on these challenges. Search for job openings worldwide and learn more about the benefits of working for Mentor Graphics. Careers